Nutrition: An Overview | Foodfacts.com

Introduction And Definition Of Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition, Foodfacts.com members and our blog readers are no doubt aware: everything should be fed if it has to work. This is true in case of everything. An analogy is the automobile. It requires gasoline or fuel to work; similarly, living cells require food for optimum function. Nutrition is an organic process of nourishing or being nourished; it is essentially the process that allows organisms to assimilate the food and use it for growth, work and maintenance.

In other words, nutrition is defined as a science, which delineates the relationship between the health and diet. In a same way, nutritionists or dietitians are health professionals who specialize in this area.

The Purpose of knowing Nutrition

The main purpose of studying or knowing nutrition is to explain the physiological and metabolic response of the body to the diet it takes. Molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics are the newer sciences that assist in studying the body’s mechanism.

The human body is made up of water, proteins (amino acids), nucleic acids, fatty acids and carbohydrates. These compounds in turn have elements like hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus and nitrogen. We do have minerals like calcium, zinc, iron etc. These are to be maintained in the body at any cost as any alteration in this will invite the diseased state. Foods are the sources of all the elements we want and hence, it is important to understand how foods affect the body.

Types of Nutrients

The substance that provides nourishment or nutrition is called as nutrient. There are six main classes of nutrients, which the body needs namely; proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

The proteins or amino acids are required to produce new body proteins and to replace the damaged proteins. Proteins help in building the body. There are many types of Vitamins in the body that help in the different performance of the bodily systems. Water and salts maintain the hydration of the body. It is also an important structure that maintains the blood pressure in the body. Carbohydrates and fats are the powerhouse of the body. They release the energy as and when required in the body. Minerals are essential for normal bodily functions.

Things to be Remembered

Studying nutrition, one can know about the nourishment of the body by food and also hazardous things which can be brought by improper diet. High calories intake may result in life threatening disease like arteriosclerosis and so the heart attack. Proper nutrition is required for the body to fight against the microorganisms. Knowing the nutrition and its importance, one can take care about himself or herself and their babies. Proper nourishment prevents major diseases in the children like Kwashiorkor and Marasmus. Knowledge of nutrition will also help in preventing diseases. During the pregnancy, improper nutrition will affect mother and also to the development of fetus.

Nutrition is important to know, to study and to put it into implement. We should know about the food and drink we consume. It is beneficial in both ways; healthy foods are to be increased and bad foods like foods having “empty calories” are to be avoided.

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